
The time is now
Crusader looking to lead OKC to elusive title
OKLAHOMA CITY — Once a sure-fire future dynasty, the clock ticks louder than ever for the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Questionable trades and draft picks, lack of big-name free agent signings, confusing rotations and playoff-derailing injuries have headlined the Thunder’s seasons since its trip to the Finals in 2012.
A new GM arrives to captain OKC on the digital hardwood in NBA 2K15, a GM whose name was once familiar in the digital landscape of football dynasties and franchises. Sam Presti is no longer in charge as Crusader will take over the reins of the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2014.
“After being a consistent player in dynasties and franchises for so many years, I’m glad to be making my return in a new gaming generation and new sport,” Crusader said. “Football ‘chisin was once my main love but the now old-gen games ended up pushing me away. I’m hoping that now (on a PS4) I can rekindle the love I once had and create something special with the Thunder in 2K15.”
The Thunder has been known as a cheap organization since its arrival in OKC, the third smallest market in the league. Those real-life limitations shouldn’t be an issue in the video game world and the potential of what this Thunder franchise can be may finally be reached.
But don’t expect any curveballs right off the bat. Crusader plans to do his best at playing this team as close to its real-life counterpart as possible.
“Sure, we’ll be doing some things differently than what the Thunder do in real life,” Crusader said. “But what I love most about this game is how close it is to the real thing. I have to thank Da Czar first and foremost for un-breaking the playcalling and giving us the deepest playbook in hoops video game history.
“So we’ll be running a lot of what the Thunder does in real life, and I’m aware of the criticism Scott Brooks has received. But you know what? A simple playbook may be an issue in the real NBA but in a video game, it may be more useful than trying to replicate an offense that the Spurs or Heat run.”
One thing that will be different is the injury status of Kevin Durant, the face of the franchise. Durant is expected to miss 6-8 weeks after breaking a bone in his foot, but there is no updated roster reflecting this injury in 2K15 yet.
“I’m starting this franchise now and I just don’t see how to take into account for the injury without the official roster,” Crusader said. “If I benched him for a month and a half, he’d become upset and that isn’t fair to anyone. He’ll be playing from day one, and so will every other player in the league who may be injured in real life.”
Playing a full 82-game season isn’t the same as playing 16-game NFL seasons. It will take more man hours.
Crusader plans to play every minute of every game and dive into every other detail within the franchise.
“NBA 2K15 has already earned the reputation of being one of the deepest franchise modes in sports video game history,” Crusader said. “I’ll be putting that to the test. I have the time to play the game for hours and the Thunder is a team that I can play with over and over without getting bored like no other. Let’s start this thing the right way and go as long as possible.”


Quarter length: 12 minutes
Progressive Fatigue: On
Team Chemistry: On
Game Difficulty: All-Star
Simulator Difficulty: 50
Trade Negotiation Difficulty: 70
Contract Negotiation Difficulty: 65
CPU Re-Signing Aggressiveness: 68
Morale Difficulty: 42
Morale Effect: 61
Chemistry Difficulty: 62
Chemistry Effects: 75
Trade Frequency: 38
Blockbuster Trade Frequency: 82
CPU Injury Frequency: 55
User Injury Frequency: 55
Career-Ending Injury Frequency: 37
User Injury Effects: 44
CPU Injury Effects: 44
Draft Class Quality: 25
Player Progression Rate: 45
In Season Training Effects: 56
Player Non-Financial Ambitions Factor: 80
I'm using KayOtic723'2 sliders for the mode and for gameplay.
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